Devices and methods for network energy optimization

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to energy optimization for links aggregated groups. An apparatus hosted inside a network device is disclosed to coordinate multiple LAGs to turn on/off components of the network device. The apparatus is adapted to decide which components to turn on/off based on a device layout of the network device and coordinate the decision with neighbor network device(s). Thanks to the use of the device layout, a more informed energy optimization decision can be taken. To this end, the apparatus obtains an energy profile of the network device. The energy profile comprises the device layout and energy consumption information associated with each component of the network device. The apparatus further obtains traffic information of the multiple LAGs and optimizes the energy consumption based on the device layout and traffic information. The optimization decision may be coordinated with neighbor network device(s).

1 . An apparatus for optimizing energy consumption of a network device, the network device being connectable with one or more neighboring network devices, and each network device comprising multiple components, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry, which is configured to:
 obtain an energy profile of the network device, wherein the energy profile comprises a device layout of the network device and energy consumption information associated with each component of the network device;   obtain traffic information of the network device, wherein the network device is associated with multiple link aggregation groups (LAGs);   optimize the energy consumption of the network device by determining one or more of the components of the network device to be set in a low-power state, based on the device layout and the traffic information; and   request the one or more neighboring network devices to set one or more respective components in the low-power state based on a topology of the multiple LAGs and the determined one or more components of the network device to be set in the low-power state.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the energy profile of the network device comprises receiving, by the apparatus,
 the energy profile of the network device from a controller device.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to inform the one or more neighboring network devices about the determined one or more components that are to be set to the low-power state. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to obtain, from a respective neighboring network device of the one or more neighboring network devices, an indication of one or more components of the respective neighboring network device that are to be set to the low-power state. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 intersect the determined one or more of the components of the network device that are set to the low-power state and the one or more components of the respective neighboring network device that are set to the low-power state, to obtain a list of links to be adjusted; and   optimize the energy consumption of the network device by adjusting the links in the multiple LAGs according to the list.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is further processing circuitry to provide the list of links to be adjusted to the one or more neighboring network devices. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to optimize the energy consumption of the network device based on a distributed algorithm, wherein according to the distributed algorithm the processing circuitry is configured to:
 obtain the energy consumption information of the network device;   broadcast the energy consumption information of the network device;   receive further energy consumption information of one or more other network devices of the one or more neighboring network devices; and   optimize the energy consumption of the network device in response to determining that the energy consumption information of the network device is the highest among the energy consumption information of the network device and the further energy consumption information of the one or more other network devices.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the network device and the one or more other network devices are in a stable set, wherein any two network devices in the stable set are not neighboring network devices. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to optimize the energy consumption of the network device periodically. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to optimize the energy consumption of the network device based on a triggering message received from the one of the one or more neighboring network devices. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus  1  according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to optimize the energy consumption of the network device based on a threshold, wherein the threshold is associated with the energy consumption of the network device and a current traffic status of the network device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein for optimizing the energy consumption of the network device, the processing circuitry is further configured to send a lock message to the one or more neighboring network devices, wherein the lock message is used to instruct the one or more neighboring network devices not to perform energy optimization. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the lock message comprises a time duration and the lock message is further used to instruct the one or more neighboring devices not to perform energy optimization at least within the time duration. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to send an unlock message to the one or more neighboring network devices, wherein the unlock message is used to cancel the lock message. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the traffic information comprises network requirements for the multiple LAGs, wherein the network requirements comprise one or more of a bandwidth requirement, Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirement, and link utilization threshold of a respective LAG of the multiple LAGs. 
     
     
         16 . The network device, comprising the apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The network device according to  claim 16 , wherein the network device is a router, a switch, a repeater, a bridge, or a gateway. 
     
     
         18 . A method for optimizing energy consumption of a network device, the network device being connectable with one or more neighboring network devices, and each network device comprising multiple components, the method comprising:
 obtaining, by an apparatus, an energy profile of the network device, wherein the energy profile comprises a device layout of the network device and energy consumption information associated with each component of the network device;   obtaining, by the apparatus, traffic information of the network device, wherein the network device is associated with multiple link aggregation groups (LAGs);   optimizing, by the apparatus, the energy consumption of the network device by determining one or more of the components of the network device to be set in a low-power state, based on the device layout and the traffic information; and   requesting, by the apparatus, the one or more neighboring network devices to set one or more respective components in the low-power state based on a topology of the multiple LAGs.   
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for optimizing energy consumption of a network device, the network device being connectable with one or more neighboring network devices, and each network device comprising multiple components, wherein the method comprises:
 obtaining an energy profile of the network device, wherein the energy profile comprises a device layout of the network device and energy consumption information associated with each component of the network device;   obtaining traffic information of the network device, wherein the network device is associated with multiple link aggregation groups (LAGs);   optimizing the energy consumption of the network device by determining one or more of the components of the network device to be set in a low-power state based on the device layout and the traffic information; and   requesting the one or more neighboring network devices to set one or more respective components in the low-power state based on a topology of the multiple LAGs.